Rugby Round-Up: Suaalii’s Power Play, Gordon’s Setback, and Play-off Ponderings
The weekend’s Super Rugby action delivered a mixed bag of performances, with moments of individual brilliance overshadowed by significant injuries and the looming challenge of the play-offs for Australian franchises.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the highly-rated young talent, showcased his immense power and athleticism against the Western Force in Perth. He carved out a spectacular try in the second half, executing a perfectly timed run off a lineout to breach the Force’s defence. Only a truly exceptional defensive effort from Force halfback Nathan Hastie prevented Suaalii from crossing the whitewash. Hastie’s desperate lunge and tackle drew comparisons to Jerome Kaino’s iconic lift on Digby Ioane during the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final, a testament to the defensive desperation on display.
Suaalii appeared unfazed by a recent hamstring issue, suggesting he was releasing some pent-up energy after a disrupted Super Rugby campaign. This resurgence will undoubtedly please Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, though the form of Queensland Reds centre Josh Flook presents a compelling alternative.
Flook’s Formidable Farewell
Josh Flook, currently enjoying a purple patch of form for the Reds, is effectively sending a strong message to Rugby Australia with his string of outstanding performances. This impressive run comes just as Flook is set to depart Australian rugby, joining Italian club Benetton. His consistent excellence highlights the talent drain that Australian rugby is experiencing, with valuable players seeking opportunities abroad.
Gordon’s Achilles Agony and a Glimmer of Hope
The Waratahs’ recent 31-25 defeat to the Western Force in Perth was marred by a significant injury to their captain, Jake Gordon. The look on Gordon’s face as he left the field told a grim story, confirming a ruptured Achilles tendon that will necessitate a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Such severe injuries inevitably raise questions about a player’s ability to return to their previous peak performance. However, there’s a promising precedent in the form of former All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara. Perenara suffered a similar Achilles rupture at the close of 2022. Upon his return, he appeared to have not only recovered but potentially even enhanced his acceleration, a crucial asset for a dynamic No. 9.
The caveat to Perenara’s comeback is the extended recovery time, which saw him sidelined for approximately eighteen months due to complications. Gordon, no doubt, will be looking ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup. Perenara’s experience, however, suggests that the speed that is so vital to Gordon’s game may not be compromised in the long run.
Australian Teams Face Uphill Battle in Finals
The Brumbies’ uninspired performance against Moana Pasifika in Canberra has landed them a tough draw in the play-offs, setting up a clash with the formidable Hurricanes. This fixture comes with a tight turnaround, adding another layer of difficulty.
The table-topping Hurricanes strategically secured the Friday slot in the first week of finals, allowing them to rest key players against the Crusaders. They are expected to welcome back a host of their star talent for the Brumbies encounter. The Brumbies struggled to contain the raw physicality of Moana Pasifika, and the Hurricanes are anticipated to bring a similar, if not superior, physicality, coupled with significantly more polish and attacking flair.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Reds face a challenging away game against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. While the Reds possess a better chance of an upset than the Brumbies, the Chiefs will still be considered strong favourites. Even without the presence of All Blacks stalwarts Damian McKenzie and Quinn Tupaea, the Chiefs showcased their lethal attacking capabilities in their victory over the Blues last weekend, demonstrating their potent offensive game when it clicks.
Pellegrini: A Talent in the Shop Window
Patrick Pellegrini, Moana Pasifika’s Australian playmaker, put on a masterclass against the Brumbies, displaying the full repertoire of his skills.
For the past two seasons, Pellegrini has consistently been among the top Australian flyhalves in the competition. If Moana Pasifika ultimately falters, it would be a significant oversight if the Waratahs don’t secure his signature. One potential factor hindering his prospects might be his international allegiance; Pellegrini is a Tongan Test player. However, at 27 years old, he possesses a sharp attacking mindset and a knack for exploiting opportunities in front of him.
Pellegrini’s counter-attacking brilliance was instrumental in setting up Moana Pasifika’s match-winning try against the Brumbies. This performance capped off an outstanding individual effort that also included two tries of his own.
The Blues’ Play-off Paradox
The Auckland Blues are facing a crisis of form, having suffered three consecutive comprehensive defeats. Their next challenge sees them travelling to Christchurch to face the Crusaders in the opening week of the finals.
However, in a peculiar twist of Super Rugby’s finals format, the Blues could still advance to the semi-finals as a “lucky loser” even if they are defeated by the Crusaders. This scenario hinges on specific outcomes in other matches. The Blues would need the Hurricanes to defeat the Brumbies and the Chiefs to overcome the Reds. If these results materialise, the Blues would receive a lifeline to remain in the competition for another week. This “lucky loser” provision, which allows the three winners from the first week of finals and the highest-ranked loser to progress to the semi-finals, has been a point of contention and is widely considered to have not worked effectively in Super Rugby Pacific. Many believe it should be scrapped for the upcoming season.
